Barry Recks
The Wichita State Shockers will look to pull off a stunner this Thursday when they host the league-leading Houston Cougars.
Read on for more about this Houston vs Wichita State matchup in the 2022-23 college basketball season, including the latest odds, pick, and prediction to win this showdown, as brought to you by JefeBet. Also, don’t forget to check out the other NCAAB game previews here to help you make the best betting decisions.
Predictions and Betting Preview for the Houston Cougars vs Wichita State Shockers College Basketball Game on February 2, 2023
- Where: Charles Koch Arena, Wichita, Kansas
- When: Thursday, February 2, 2023, 9:00 PM ET.
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Betting on the Houston Cougars
- Regular Season Record: 20-2
After getting upset by the Temple Owls at home on Jan. 22 in a 1-point loss, the Cougars are back to their winning ways. Houston beat the UCF Knights, 82-71, and then the Cincinnati Bearcats, 75-69, in two games since that meeting with Temple. Defense has always been the name of the game for Houston this season.
It is allowing just 54.9 points per game, which is second-best in Division I basketball. Cougars opponents are also just recording a 41.3 eFG% and 42.4 FG% this season. In addition to those numbers, the Cougars remain undefeated through six road games this season.
It’s that kind of tenacious defense that has been making life such a nightmare for Houston opponents. Houston is 6-4 ATS in its last 10 games.
Betting on the Wichita State Shockers
- Regular Season Record: 11-10
Wichita State moved closer to being .500 again in conference play after beating the East Carolina Pirates on the road over the weekend, 85-72. On the season, the Shockers have won six games at home and lost six.
They have yet to win a Top 25 team this season, but having seen Temple take down Houston, Wichita State has enough confidence it can pull off the same feat this coming Thursday. Houston’s defense has also seen a drop in form of late, so perhaps Wichita State can take advantage of that.
Jaykwon Walton paces Wichita State this season with 13.3 points per game, while Craig Porter Jr. is averaging 12.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per outing. Wichita State, which is averaging 67.5 points, is 2-1 ATS in its last three contests.
JefeBet Prediction
That loss to Temple was a wake-up call for the Cougars. They are also not too removed from that painful defeat, so don’t expect the Cougars to take their foot off the pedal anytime soon. Taking Houston to win.
Prediction: Houston wins by at least 11 points.
